Servicemen’s Devon derby as war raged on Western Front

IT was July 1915 and the world was in the midst of ‘the war to end all wars’, Europe in particular was the main battleground.

The initial excitement of what many young men viewed as the impending adventure, had turned to despair. The fighting broke out in 1914 and it was thought that it would be all over by Christmas of that year.

Twelve months on and every inch of land was being fought over at tremendous human cost. More and more troops were required by the regular army to shore up the Western Front and those stationed in various parts of the globe were pulled back to Europe and replaced by the Territorials.

These Territorials were effectively part-time soldiers who could respond to any call at short notice. Once such group were the D Company, 2-6 Devon Territorials comprising mainly of men from Devon who found themselves stationed at Deolali in India.

Deolali transit camp was a British Army transit camp in Maharashtra, India.

It served to house soldiers newly arrived in the country and those awaiting ships to take them to Britain. It also housed a military prison and during the two world wars served as a prisoner of war camp.

Conditions in the camp were said to be poor especially for those stationed there for long periods and the term ‘doolally’ became associated with mental illness.

Sport was one of the means by which the soldiers could relieve the boredom and a game was organised between players representing Barnstaple and Crediton and the following is the report in The Western Times August 5, 1915, under the heading Rugby Football in India

The following description of a rugby football match at Deolali (India) arrived by last evening’s mail. It will be read with interest by Devonian readers seeing that the men taking part were from Barnstaple and Crediton:

A large and enthusiastic crowd gathered on the Recreation ground, Deolali on Saturday July 10 to witness an encounter between teams representing Barnstaple and Crediton drawn from D Company, 2-6 Devon Territorials and judging by the strenuous manner in which the game was fought out, the old-time spirit of rivalry Barum and Kyrton was nowise lacking. Sgt Claude Piper skippered the Barum men and Grace Parr, the old Kyrton half was in charge of the Crediton team.

It was seen Barnstaple were the heavier lot in particular forward. Barum won the toss and elected to play down the slope, the strong wind also favouring them. Grant started for Crediton, Barum’s reply finding touch at half way. Parr fed Wilson who gained ground for Kyrton, sending to touch well up.

From the lineout, Parr gained possession sending W. Harry away on the wing, that player being flung to touch-in-goal. Barum relieved the pressure, play returning to midfield where a battle royal ensued between the forwards. Barum were getting the ball oftener from the scrums. In the loose however, Kyrton were doing fine work, the tackling resembling a Cup-tie struggle.

After 15 minutes, Popham for Barum fed Barrow who passed to Piper that player getting through and touching down. Barrow failed with the place kick. Fine play was seen for the next ten minutes, the backs passing and re-passing.

Then Barrow who was playing a great game, getting an opening in front of the uprights, dropped a goal.

Crediton came again, carrying play into Barnstaple’s territory, ill-luck alone preventing them crossing on more than one occasion. Just on the call of half time, Harris through a misjudgement was allowed to cross, Gooding adding the extra points. Half time then came with Barnstaple leading by 12 points.

Heayel re-started for Barum, Wilson returning finely. Up and down play followed, Kyrton well holding their own. Parr dropped for goal, missing by inches only. Some good open play was now seen, each threequarter line handling well, but keen tackling prevented much ground being gained. Parr fed Tucker, the ball passing to Payne and that player setting Harvey going. He looked all over scoring but Bowden, Barum’s back just managed to grass him in time.

Once again Barum came away, Barrow feeding Piper who got away at top speed but a fine tackle by Tucker stopped the movement. Play came again to Barum’s end, remaining there Kyrton tried all they knew to cross, but excellent defence prevailed.

Time came with Crediton pressing and leaving Barum the winners of a rare struggle by 12 points to nil.

Teams

=Barnstaple - H. Bowden; W. Scoins, C. Piper, G. Barrow, C. Harris; F. Popham, F. Tanner; T. Lewis, W. Heayel, C. Gooding, F. Nott, T. Sampson, W. Jewell, R. Saxon, S. Drew.

=Crediton - H. Payne, W.F. Harvey, G.H. Tucker, A. Long, V. Ball; F. Parr, Lieut Wilson; T. Grant, A. Stone, C, Stoneman, F. Gribble, L. Risdon, G. Sutton, J. Gallin, W. Gallin.

Throughout The Great War, rugby was shelved for the duration and indeed many sportsmen signed up almost immediately the war broke out.

There were occasional games of rugby played at Crediton, mainly between members of the armed forces that were stationed in the area and so there was a sort of irony in the fact that the only team under the Crediton banner to have played during that four-year period was in a game that took place nearly 5,000 miles away!

With the Covid restrictions gradually being eased, the past two Saturdays have provided some really entertaining touch rugby at the Club, all played in a good spirit and hopefully that will continue for a few more weeks. It is now over thirteen months since we last had any rugby and we can only hope that the vaccination programme in conjunction with the lockdown will have the desired effect and we can return to a normal rugby season in September.